A children's "entertainment
center" offers several amusement park-style rides, including a mini roller
coaster and bumper cars.
It also has dozens of non-violent video games and a soft play area. Check the
Web site for coupons, too. Birthday party packages are available.

Admission: Varies, but a la carte
prices run $5.99 to $9.99, A "Fun Card," which permits you to take
part in most activities, can range from $10 to $50; many attractions, without a
Fun Card, run about $3.50 to $4.25 otherwise (kiddie rides are less expensive).

This
indoor "fun factory" has just about everything: a rock wall,
go-karts, laser tag, bowling, mini golf and kiddie rides, just to name some
highlights. Call or go online for more details, as there are height and weight
restrictions and varied pricing. Bring your appetite, too, as a buffet purchase
is required for entry.

Think
of this sport as paintball without the paint. Players go on
"missions," use code names and attempt to score as many points as
possible in this high-tech update of hide-and-seek. Recommended for children at
least 7 years of age and older, and teens really dig this stuff (as do many of
their parents). Birthday party packages are available.

Admission:
$6 for one round (18 holes); $8 for unlimited rounds. Children under 3 admitted
free with

a
paid adult admission.

Happy
Hour from 4 to 6:30pm. Admission is $5 per person and you receive one round of
golf, food, and drinks. This indoor miniature golf course, featuring a
safari-themed setting, was voted "Best Miniature Golf Course in Phoenix
2006" by the Phoenix New Times. Be sure to check the web site for coupons,
too. Birthday party packages are available.

Tempe Town Lake, Splash Playground Located at the south
bank of Tempe Town Lake at Tempe Beach Park near the entrance to the park at
Rio Salado Parkway and Mill Avenue Cost: Free Description: One-acre playground
for children More info: (480) 350-8625 or http://www.tempetownlake.com

Hours:
Public skate sessions are held daily, but check the online calendar, which is
updated every day or call for more information. Some night sessions are also
available.

Admission:
Public skate time is $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for youths 12 and younger, $3.50
for seniors 55 and older, children 3 and younger admitted free (with a paid
adult admission); skate rental is $2.50 per person.

There's
public skate sessions, skating and hockey lessons and even day camps that run
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m, include lunch and a snack and skate rental and cost just
$165 for the week.

Children’s Museum of Phoenix 215 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ
85034 Cost: $11/person; Under 1 free Description: Dozens of hands-on,
interactive exhibits designed for children ages birth to 10, the Museum focuses
on learning through play, with emphasis on early childhood education and
school-readiness More Info: 602-253-0501 or http://www.childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/

Admission:
$6 for adults, $4 for students (6-17), $1.50 for children ages 3-5 and $5 for
seniors over 62.

You
and your little future firefighter are sure to be awestruck at this almost
one-acre exhibit of firefighting history. There are some 130 wheeled pieces,
from hand- and horse-drawn apparatus to more modern-day engines, to marvel at
as well as myriad other objects (like thousands arm patches from around the
world). There's also a hands-on children's exhibit.

Summer
Hours (May through September): 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday;
closed Sunday and Monday. During the rest of the year (October through April),
the museum is open 9 a.m-4:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4:45 p.m.
on Sunday.

Admission:
$6 for adults (18-54), $5 for seniors 55 and older, and $3 for children (ages
6-17: children 5 and younger are admitted for free. From October through April,
admission is free on Sundays.

OK,
so quite a bit of this National Historic Landmark is located outside, but
there's also an indoor component as well! Learn more about the ancient Hohokam
people and see a little bit of what they left behind here so long ago - part of
a prehistoric platform mound and a ball court.

Built
in 1892, this Queen Anne Victorian-style house was once home to successful area
businessman and prominent Tempe resident Niels Petersen, a Danish immigrant.
Many of the original features are still intact, including a couple stained
glass windows and some wallpaper. The house is also on the National Register of
Historic Places.

Learn
more about the history of Chandler, from the impact that the ancient Hohokam
people had on this region to the city's founding father and how the early
pioneers lived. The museum also offers several summer workshops for children
ages 5 to 11. Advance registration is required and a $2 donation is suggested.
Call or go online for more details.

The
museum's going to undergo a major, year-long renovation project starting around
the end of August, so be sure to get your visit in this summer or you'll have
to wait another 365 days or so to see the place. Wild Wednesdays, held June 18
through July 23, will keep youngsters and their families entertained. No
preregistration is needed for family groups, although groups of 10 or more
should call first for a reservation. This year's themes are: Go, Sun Devils!
(June 18); Our Desert Home (June 25); Patriot's Day (July 2); Got Culture?
(July 9); Building Tempe (July 16); and To Protect and Serve (July 23).

Admission:
$5 for adults, $4 for seniors over 65, $3 for youths (3-12), children under 3
and members admitted free.

Everything
you wanted to know about Mesa - plus some - is here. Come see "Thanks for
Tuning In: The Wallace and Ladmo Show" exhibit, which runs through Aug.
31, or check out the replica of a one-room schoolhouse.

MISC COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Ceretta Candy Company 5345 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, AZ
85301 Cost: Free Description: Tour Phoenix’s 70-year-old family owned and
operated candy company and see how their products are made. More Info: (623)
930-1000 or http://www.cerreta.com

Stuffington Bear Factory 2302 East Thomas Road Phoenix, Arizona 85016
Cost: $4-12/person Description: Visit one of the last remaining stuffed animal
factories in the United States and make your own stuffed animal More Info:
(602) 225-9513 or http://www.stuffington.com

The Western Area Regional
Park, when completed, will be an 81-acre park featuring a variety of amenities.

Peoria

Rio
Vista Recreation Center

Surprise

The Hollyhock
Community Pool includes a water spray pad with play features. The spray pad
is located at 15808 N. Hollyhock Street in Surprise. There is a nominal entry
fee to the facility; people who don't show proof of Surprise residency will pay
a bit more. Call for information: 623-222-2530.

There is a
small splash pad at Heritage (Marley) Park. It is located at 15073 W.
Sweetwater Ave. It is free. Call for information: 623-222-2000.

El Mirage

The splash pad
in El Mirage is located at Gateway Park, 10100 N. El Mirage Rd. on the far west
side of the park, adjacent to the playground. This is a pop-jet fountain area
with jets that pop the water at different intervals. In the daytime you'll find
shaded seating here. After sunset this water features lights up with
multi-colors given the water the illusion of colorful water. Call for
information to 623-876-2977.

Goodyear

The splash pad
at Goodyear Community Park is located at 3151 N. Litchfield Road in Goodyear,
Arizona and is open from April 15 through October 15. The hours of operation
are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Children under 6 years old must be accompanied
by an adult or responsible person who is at least 13 years old. No glass,
beverages or food of any kind are permitted in within 10’ of walkways of play
area. No pets allowed in play area. Periodic maintenance may cause the splash
pad to be closed.

Westgate

Fountain Park is open daily
from 10am-10pm. Closed first Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of the month!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

I called my mom today! The first thing she asked "Is it time? Don't worry I am ready!" She is ready and show off her grandson's picture to everyone today! She thinks he has her nose! She is going to love him to death and she needs to set up the webcam. To see him or she meant me. haha!

I called grandma Pease! She was telling all but Christmas! The kiddos got i-pods and a kindle. I told her how much I loved the recorded book. tear!

I then called Clarke's mom. She is torn between the thought of selling her home and meeting her grandson!

I specialize in Maternity Portraits, Newborn Portraits, Baby's Frist Year, Childhood Photography, Senior Portrait, Family Photography, and Weddings serving Phoenix Arizona Metro. I am a work from home mom so I have a limited number of sessions per month! Thank you for checking out my blog!